From:                              JAMES THWAITS [jthwaits@msn.com]

Sent:                               Monday, June 13, 2011 5:10 PM

To:                                   Patrick Scherden

Subject:                          TRUSTEE'S REPORT LODGE 78

 

                                   Fraternal Order of Police

                                     Maricopa Lodge 7

 

                                    STATE TRUSTEE REPORT 

                                                          June 13, 2011

                                           

Worthy State Officers, Brothers and sisters,

 

The past year at Maricopa Lodge #78 has been productive as to our membership growing and the City’s willingness to work on the police officers MOU. We have, as of the first of June a new City Manager and as of a week ago a new City Finance Director. We were hoping to get our MOU signed and in place before the first of July, but it will be close.

The officer of our lodge have yet to meet with the City Counsel and start the negotiations for police raises, uniform allowances , ect.  However we did sit down with our City HR Director and City Attorney regarding our MOU draft. After the meeting we felt better about going in front of the City Counsel than before. We were told that they are considering using a 2009 salary study in which we were told the City has the moneys.

There are some changes to come in our department some good some not so good. Chief Fitch has been moved back to Assistant Chief and Chief Melvin is back in a Chief of police.

Our Lodge is still taking hits from COMPA, however their numbers are getting smaller and some COMPA members are talking about coming over to the FOP. The MOU and raises will be a big factor in bring in more officers.

I would like to take this moment on behalf of Lodge #78 to thank our brothers and sisters at Lodge #5 for their continuing support, Jim Mann for always being there and the guidance from the National FOP for their guidance with our MOU and ideas on how to conduct our negotiations with the City Counsel.

God Bless and see all of you in Prescott.

 James(Jim) Thwaits State Trustee Maricopa Lodge 78